Tweet
TRIVIA BYTES - WILD CARD THURSDAY
Its that time of year again ... invitations have been sent for the first week of the sudden death playoff system.
Trivial Bytes thought it would be interesting to see what the SEASON PREVIEW said and compare that to where we are today. Here go's.
Norfolk (11-5) at Iowa City (9-7) ...
The Preview had this to say about the Vipers and Snipe Hunters:
:arrow: Norfolk Overview: Overall, I think that this team is set for yet another run at the title. They should be able to hold off the other teams in the AC East, for at least one more year.
Prediction: 11-5
:arrow: Iowa City Overview: Age is a large concern for the stable Snipe Hunter franchise. They've kept the same core of players for years, but now that core is slowing down. Iowa's running game will allow them to control games, but without playmakers at receiver, it's hard to expect them to comeback if teams get ahead of them early. The Snipe Hunters will have to win the AC North if they want a playoff berth, they simply don't have the playmakers to give them a strong enough shot at a wild card spot in the talented AC.
Prediction: 9-7
GAME CONDITIONS: Rain is expected, good turf.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: Iowa won earlier in the year, 20-3.
KEYS FOR NORFOLK: Lozier, will be in the lineup, and must prove that his absence in the earlier match-up was why the Vipers lost.
KEYS FOR IOWA CITY: Ball control with Beamer pounding and timely Mathews passing will not allow the Viper offense to get in a groove.
----------------------------------------------------------
St. Louis (11-5) at Houston (11-5)
The Preview had this to say about the Cardinals and the Renegades:
:arrow: St. Louis Overview: The Cardinals have the talent to go places, but keeping that talent healthy has always been the difference. With Houston and Murfreesboro on their heels, and a weak offensive line, the Cardinals will have to play exceptionally well to hang onto the AC South. They've been through battles before though, this is a team you can't count out early. Look for them to get a wild card berth at the minimum.
Prediction: 11-5
:arrow: Houston Overview: The Renegades are poised to go deep into the playoffs, but first they'll have to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year's division race came down to a tiebreaker. This year could see the same thing. Houston has the talent to get far, but ultimately they'll be judged on how they handle the pressure of the big games when they reach them.
Prediction: 12-4
GAME CONDITIONS: Warm & sunny, fair turf rating.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: Houston has swept St. Louis both times they have played; 34-6 and 21-20.
KEYS FOR ST. LOUIS: The passing game has been the Cardinals bread & butter all season long. They are #1 in attempts & completions and #2 in yards. We think the Cardinals better try to find the jelly from somewhere besides through the air if they want to change an outcome with Houston.
KEYS FOR HOUSTON: Why change the formula? Keep them guessing with the Timmerman run or the Booker pass. Repeat their staunch defense against the the Cardinal rushing attack. Earlier games netted the Cardinals 65 yards and 19 yards.
------------------------------------------------------------
Lansing (9-7) at Salt Lake City (11-5)
The Preview had this to say about the Ogres and the Stallions:
:arrow: Lansing Overview:
If the offensive line could ever step up their game this would be a very good team, unfortunately we've been given no indication that that is about to happen. The defense has the potential to be very good but they will have to alot to keep this team in games. They've also shown a propensity to fold under adversity and believe me they have suffered adversity. The Ogres have the potential to compete for the division but until they actually break the glass ceiling theres no reason to believe they will.
Prediction: 8-8
:arrow: Salt Lake City Overview: This team is almost the same team as last year. The only major difference is the addition a great kicker, Jesse Tamaarkin and the unveiling of a new stadium that seats 80,000, the second largest in the IFL, next to the Viper stadium in Norfolk. In fact, the Stallions want to travel the same road that the Vipers took last year – unveiled a new stadium renovation, hosted the playoffs there and then moved on to an IFL Championship in the Imperial Bowl. The Stallions are in a tough division but should win it outright. In adding a seasoned coach (who will bring a new flavor of football to an already outstanding and talented team) in a new stadium with new turf and plenty of fanfare, the rest of the league just might be looking at the next IFL Champs.
Prediction: 11-5
GAME CONDITIONS: Fair & sunny, very good turf rating.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: Salt Lake City beat Lansing, 16-10.
KEYS FOR LANSING: Turn on the Orgre faucet and one never knows whether the water will be hot or cold. The last three weeks it has been ice cold. Deception on offense and the best defensive stand of the year vs the SLC juggernault are critical.
KEYS FOR SALT LAKE CITY: A great running offense and a better run stopping defense have been the main course all year. Expect a heavy dose again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Oakland (9-7) at Little Rock (11-5)
The Preview had this to say about the Devils and the Toads:
:arrow: Oakland Overview: The Red Devil’s Achilles heel for a championship run is a lack of depth on both the O & D-lines and more importantly the secondary. The prediction is that there will be at least one wild card coming from the NC West division. The Red Devil’s are the favorite but it will not be a cake walk as Reno and Vancouver take advantage of the mismatches that the unevitable Oakland injuries will allow.
Prediction: 9-7
:arrow: Little Rock Overview: This team has too much talent to repeat what happened last year. Cris Kelly lost his job because of that trainwreck and ownership believes that Sammy Harvey can reignite this team and lead them back to success and i'm inclined to agree. If this team stays healthy they should compete for the NC South title and more.
Prediction: 10-6
GAME CONDITIONS: Snow, good turf rating.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: none
KEYS FOR OAKLAND: Adding a little more of a run attack to the #1 passing offense (yards) would help keep Little Rock's strength off of the field - the Toad's balanced offense.
KEYS FOR LITTLE ROCK: When on the field on offense, Given & Dixon should provide their consistent contribution. However, on defense, replacing Devin Bell can be a key issue since the line backing core has already taken it licks due to injury.
Its that time of year again ... invitations have been sent for the first week of the sudden death playoff system.
Trivial Bytes thought it would be interesting to see what the SEASON PREVIEW said and compare that to where we are today. Here go's.
Norfolk (11-5) at Iowa City (9-7) ...
The Preview had this to say about the Vipers and Snipe Hunters:
:arrow: Norfolk Overview: Overall, I think that this team is set for yet another run at the title. They should be able to hold off the other teams in the AC East, for at least one more year.
Prediction: 11-5
:arrow: Iowa City Overview: Age is a large concern for the stable Snipe Hunter franchise. They've kept the same core of players for years, but now that core is slowing down. Iowa's running game will allow them to control games, but without playmakers at receiver, it's hard to expect them to comeback if teams get ahead of them early. The Snipe Hunters will have to win the AC North if they want a playoff berth, they simply don't have the playmakers to give them a strong enough shot at a wild card spot in the talented AC.
Prediction: 9-7
GAME CONDITIONS: Rain is expected, good turf.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: Iowa won earlier in the year, 20-3.
KEYS FOR NORFOLK: Lozier, will be in the lineup, and must prove that his absence in the earlier match-up was why the Vipers lost.
KEYS FOR IOWA CITY: Ball control with Beamer pounding and timely Mathews passing will not allow the Viper offense to get in a groove.
----------------------------------------------------------
St. Louis (11-5) at Houston (11-5)
The Preview had this to say about the Cardinals and the Renegades:
:arrow: St. Louis Overview: The Cardinals have the talent to go places, but keeping that talent healthy has always been the difference. With Houston and Murfreesboro on their heels, and a weak offensive line, the Cardinals will have to play exceptionally well to hang onto the AC South. They've been through battles before though, this is a team you can't count out early. Look for them to get a wild card berth at the minimum.
Prediction: 11-5
:arrow: Houston Overview: The Renegades are poised to go deep into the playoffs, but first they'll have to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year's division race came down to a tiebreaker. This year could see the same thing. Houston has the talent to get far, but ultimately they'll be judged on how they handle the pressure of the big games when they reach them.
Prediction: 12-4
GAME CONDITIONS: Warm & sunny, fair turf rating.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: Houston has swept St. Louis both times they have played; 34-6 and 21-20.
KEYS FOR ST. LOUIS: The passing game has been the Cardinals bread & butter all season long. They are #1 in attempts & completions and #2 in yards. We think the Cardinals better try to find the jelly from somewhere besides through the air if they want to change an outcome with Houston.
KEYS FOR HOUSTON: Why change the formula? Keep them guessing with the Timmerman run or the Booker pass. Repeat their staunch defense against the the Cardinal rushing attack. Earlier games netted the Cardinals 65 yards and 19 yards.
------------------------------------------------------------
Lansing (9-7) at Salt Lake City (11-5)
The Preview had this to say about the Ogres and the Stallions:
:arrow: Lansing Overview:
If the offensive line could ever step up their game this would be a very good team, unfortunately we've been given no indication that that is about to happen. The defense has the potential to be very good but they will have to alot to keep this team in games. They've also shown a propensity to fold under adversity and believe me they have suffered adversity. The Ogres have the potential to compete for the division but until they actually break the glass ceiling theres no reason to believe they will.
Prediction: 8-8
:arrow: Salt Lake City Overview: This team is almost the same team as last year. The only major difference is the addition a great kicker, Jesse Tamaarkin and the unveiling of a new stadium that seats 80,000, the second largest in the IFL, next to the Viper stadium in Norfolk. In fact, the Stallions want to travel the same road that the Vipers took last year – unveiled a new stadium renovation, hosted the playoffs there and then moved on to an IFL Championship in the Imperial Bowl. The Stallions are in a tough division but should win it outright. In adding a seasoned coach (who will bring a new flavor of football to an already outstanding and talented team) in a new stadium with new turf and plenty of fanfare, the rest of the league just might be looking at the next IFL Champs.
Prediction: 11-5
GAME CONDITIONS: Fair & sunny, very good turf rating.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: Salt Lake City beat Lansing, 16-10.
KEYS FOR LANSING: Turn on the Orgre faucet and one never knows whether the water will be hot or cold. The last three weeks it has been ice cold. Deception on offense and the best defensive stand of the year vs the SLC juggernault are critical.
KEYS FOR SALT LAKE CITY: A great running offense and a better run stopping defense have been the main course all year. Expect a heavy dose again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Oakland (9-7) at Little Rock (11-5)
The Preview had this to say about the Devils and the Toads:
:arrow: Oakland Overview: The Red Devil’s Achilles heel for a championship run is a lack of depth on both the O & D-lines and more importantly the secondary. The prediction is that there will be at least one wild card coming from the NC West division. The Red Devil’s are the favorite but it will not be a cake walk as Reno and Vancouver take advantage of the mismatches that the unevitable Oakland injuries will allow.
Prediction: 9-7
:arrow: Little Rock Overview: This team has too much talent to repeat what happened last year. Cris Kelly lost his job because of that trainwreck and ownership believes that Sammy Harvey can reignite this team and lead them back to success and i'm inclined to agree. If this team stays healthy they should compete for the NC South title and more.
Prediction: 10-6
GAME CONDITIONS: Snow, good turf rating.
PRIOR SEASON MEETING: none
KEYS FOR OAKLAND: Adding a little more of a run attack to the #1 passing offense (yards) would help keep Little Rock's strength off of the field - the Toad's balanced offense.
KEYS FOR LITTLE ROCK: When on the field on offense, Given & Dixon should provide their consistent contribution. However, on defense, replacing Devin Bell can be a key issue since the line backing core has already taken it licks due to injury.
Comment